5 Trips That Are Better — and Cheaper— to Take in the Fall

We think of summer as vacation time, but some popular tourist destinations are more enjoyable to visit in fall — when it's cooler and less crowded. Taking a trip in the off-season can also significantly trim down the costs of travel and lodging, so you can spend more on having fun there. 

Embracing wanderlust and the spirit of adventure can be expensive, but there are tricks for maximizing your budget to save money on traveling. See some of the best vacation destinations to visit in the fall instead of summer. 

Do you really want to visit Disney World during the hottest part of the year, when the air is so thick with humidity it feels like breathing soup and the park is swarming with children enjoying their summer break from school? Fall and winter weather in Florida feel just like summer to those north of the Mason-Dixon, but the prices drop significantly, making it the perfect place for an off-season vacation. 

Want to skip the planning and go right to the fun? Check out Costco for inclusive packages that include air travel, park passes, lodging, and transportation for five days. 

The hottest desert in America is a great place to visit, but it's even better when the rest of the country starts to feel the chill of the colder months. Phoenix offers all the fun of fall festivals with the temperatures of a warm summer's day. 

Phoenix is perfect if you love sun and spas, with many resort packages that include spa treatments. Grab a $100 daily resort credit for any trip before Sept. 30.

If you want the spectacular glory of color-changing fall foliage combined with the mild temperatures of sandal weather, you'll want to visit Virginia in the autumn. Leaf-peepers often flock to New England to see the colorful natural displays of trees preparing for winter, but the southern portion of the Appalachian Mountains offers the same gorgeous scenery with more moderate weather and fewer crowds. 

Head over to the Arlington tourism site to grab a deal on creating your own vacation package with a discounted hotel stay and tickets to the local attractions. This is perfect for history enthusiasts who want to tour sites from our country's earliest beginnings.  

If you've never been to the Great Plains, the fall is a wonderful time to see the prairie grasslands and visit the fall festivals and fairs. Many focus on honoring the Indigenous communities, a vital and often overlooked portion of American history. 

The Red Earth FallFest, scheduled for Oct. 19, celebrates native arts and traditions. The Red Earth Treefest, which takes place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 29, showcases the traditions of the tribes blended with the more modern celebrations of the Christmas season.  

Enjoy the splendor of fall foliage and plenty of indoor activities at the Mall of America. This is an excellent place to vacation if your family is split between enjoying the great outdoors and enjoying the comforts and conveniences of indoors. The largest mall in America has the Nickelodeon Universe, Sea Life Aquarium, and all the shopping you could ever want. 

If you're planning a trip, don't forget to take advantage of the bundled attraction passes. You can grab tickets to both for just $66.99. 

Summer may be ending, but your traveling adventures don't have to be. Many places that are popular destinations for summer can be even more fun in the fall — and you can skip the crowds and the heat. 

If you're prepping to move into your "Travel Era," remember to sign up for the best credit cards to earn travel rewards and stretch your budget to the max.